Welding Instructor

Advanced Exhaust Solutions; Lakeville (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanced Exhaust Solutions in Lakeville, MN is seeking a Welding Instructor to develop and lead an internal training program that prepares new welders for work in a production environment.

The role blends classroom teaching with hands-on practice to build practical welding skills, safe work habits, and readiness for supervised production tasks. You will collaborate with production and quality teams to ensure the training aligns with real job requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience as a welder in manufacturing or production.
• Ability to interpret drawings and weld symbols.
• Knowledge of welding processes MIG/GMAW, FCAW, TIG/GTAW, SMAW.
• Strong communication and coaching skills.
• Commitment to safe work practices and quality.

Responsibilities

• Develop the curriculum: Create a structured training program aligned with welding processes, materials, equipment, products, and quality standards.
• Train new welders: Provide hands-on instruction in welding fundamentals, equipment setup, material preparation, fit-up, welding techniques, and basic troubleshooting.
• Teach safe work practices: Reinforce proper use of personal protective equipment, safe equipment operation, and company safety procedures.
• Build production skills: Teach trainees to read applicable drawings and weld symbols, follow work instructions and welding procedure specifications, and use production tools, fixtures, and measuring equipment.
• Reinforce weld quality: Help trainees recognize common weld defects, understand acceptance criteria, and develop consistent workmanship.
• Evaluate readiness: Assess each trainee’s progress through practical demonstrations and weld evaluations. Document skills achieved, identify gaps, and recommend when trainees are ready for supervised production work.
• Provide coaching: Give clear, constructive feedback and additional instruction to trainees who need support.
• Coordinate with production and quality: Work with supervisors and quality personnel to ensure training reflects actual job requirements and supports a smooth transition to the production floor.
• Maintain the training area: Keep equipment, tools, materials, and training stations organized and ready for safe use.
• Improve the program: Update the curriculum based on trainee performance, production feedback, quality trends, and changes in company processes.

Skills

Welding

Curriculum development

Classroom and hands-on teaching

Safety training

Communication & coaching

Job description

130 Operations_Production Admin Full Time Lakeville, MN, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1032

$75,000.00 To $95,000.00 Annually

Department:Production

FLSA Status:Exempt

Position Summary

The Welding Instructor will develop and lead an internal training program that prepares new welders for work in a production environment. This is a non-accredited program focused on practical skills, safe work habits, weld quality, and production readiness.

The instructor will combine classroom instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on practice to help trainees become functional production welders capable of meeting company requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop the curriculum: Create a structured training program aligned with the company’s welding processes, materials, equipment, products, and quality standards. Develop lesson plans, practice projects, training materials, and skill assessments.
• Train new welders: Provide hands-on instruction in welding fundamentals, equipment setup, material preparation, fit-up, welding techniques, and basic troubleshooting.
• Teach safe work practices: Reinforce proper use of personal protective equipment, safe equipment operation, and company safety procedures.
• Build production skills: Teach trainees to read applicable drawings and weld symbols, follow work instructions and welding procedure specifications, and use production tools, fixtures, and measuring equipment.
• Reinforce weld quality: Help trainees recognize common weld defects, understand acceptance criteria, and develop consistent workmanship.
• Evaluate readiness: Assess each trainee’s progress through practical demonstrations and weld evaluations. Document skills achieved, identify gaps, and recommend when trainees are ready for supervised production work.
• Provide coaching: Give clear, constructive feedback and additional instruction to trainees who need support.
• Coordinate with production and quality: Work with supervisors and quality personnel to ensure training reflects actual job requirements and supports a smooth transition to the production floor.
• Maintain the training area: Keep equipment, tools, materials, and training stations organized and ready for safe use.
• Improve the program: Update the curriculum based on trainee performance, production feedback, quality trends, and changes in company processes.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as a welder in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Proficiency in the welding processes used by the company, such as MIG/GMAW, flux‑cored/FCAW, TIG/GTAW, or stick/SMAW.
• Ability to interpret drawings, weld symbols, work instructions, and applicable welding procedures.
• Strong understanding of welding equipment, material preparation, fit-up, and common weld defects.
• Ability to demonstrate techniques clearly and explain them to people with little or no welding experience.
• Strong communication, coaching, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
• Commitment to safe work practices and consistent weld quality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Welding Educator (CWE) credential preferred, but not required.
• Previous experience training, mentoring, or supervising welders.
• Experience developing practical training materials or evaluating welding skills.
• Relevant welding certifications or qualifications.
• Experience with the company’s materials, products, and production methods.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

This position includes classroom instruction and hands-on work in a welding shop and production environment. Duties may involve prolonged standing, bending, reaching, handling tools and materials, and exposure to heat, noise, welding fumes, and arc light. Required protective equipment must be worn. Essential duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Measures of Success

Success will be measured by trainees’ ability to demonstrate safe work habits, set up and operate equipment correctly, produce welds that meet company requirements, and transition successfully into supervised production assignments. The instructor will also be evaluated on curriculum effectiveness, trainee progress, and feedback from production and quality teams.